Vending machine



June 3, 1958 J. M. STEWART 2,837,237

VENDING MACHINE Filed April 17. 1951 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TOR.

J. M. STEWART VENDING MACHINE June 3, 1958 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April17, 1951 INVENTOR. JJ/Wfl J Zea/42 i June 3, 1958 J. M. STEWART2,837,237

VENDING MACHINE Filed April 1'7. 1951 7 Sheets-Sheet a 1 5 .zaq

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INVENTOR.

J. M. STEWART VENDING MACHINE June 3, 1958 Filed April 17, 1951 7Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

J. M. STEWART VENDING MACHINE Jung 3, 1958 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed April17. 1951 QNN NW H mvw mm v INMW N w QNN United States Patent 2,837,237VENDlNG MACHINE John M. Stewart, Chicago, Ill.

Application April 17, 1551, Serial No. 221,400 16 Claims. (Cl. 221-11This invention is concerned generally with a vending machine, and moreparticularly with a machine for vending bottles or other compactpackaged articles.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a new or improvedvending machine.

Another object of this invention, is to provide a vending machine havinga delivery section and a storage section and means for automaticallyrefilling the delivery section from the storage section upon exhaustionof the supply of articles to be vended in said delivery section, thedelivery section including a readily cleanable supporting plate acrosswhich articles can be slid onto said delivery section.

A further object of this invention is to provide a vending machinehaving a plurality of similar vending mechanisms indvidually operable toincrease the capacity and'selection wherein each of the vendingmechanisms is mounted for partial or complete withdrawal from a cabinetto facilitate reloading, cleaning, and repair.

Yet another object is to provide, in a'vending machine having a deliverysection and a storage section for replenishing the delivery section,means for operating both the delivery section and the storage section intimed relation by means of a single motor.

A further object of this invention is to provide an intermittent motionmechanism for operating both delivery and. storage sections in a vendingmachine in timed relation by means of a single motor.

Another object of this inventionis to provide, in a vending machinehaving an article advancing mechanism operable in only one direction, anindexing mechanism for stopping the article advancing mechanism inproper position.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a new or improvedmechanism for shifting a purchased article from the interior of avending machine cabinet.

A more specific object of this invention is to provide a mechanismoperated by opening a delivery door to shift a purchased article fromthe interior of a vending machine cabinet.

Another object ofthis invention is to provide improved means foradvancing articles along a delivery section of a vending machine andimproved means for advancing articles from a storage section onto saiddelivery section.

v.Other and further objects and advantages of the present invention willbe apparent from the following description when taken in connection withthe accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a front view of the cabinet of a vending machine embodying theprinciples of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one form of the vending mechanism; 3

Fig. 4 is a top view of the vending mechanism, certain parts beingbroken away for clarity of illustration and to reduce the size of 'thedrawing;

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2 Fig. 5 is a detail view partially in section taken along the line 5-5of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a detail view partially in section taken along the line 66 ofFig. 4; 5 Fig. 7 is a detail view partially in section and partiallybroken away, taken along line 7-7 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 is a top view showing a modified vending mechamsm;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary top view showing a transfer 10 mechanismdiffering from that of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing a part of the transfer mechanismof Fig. 9;

3 Fig. 11 is a modified transfer mechanism;

Fig. 12 shows a part of the actuating means for the 15 transfermechanism of Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a view similar to Figs. 9 and 11 showing yet Referring firstto Figs. 1 and 2, there is shown a vending machine comprising a cabinet20 having insulated sidewalls 22, an insulated rear wall 24, aninsulated upper wall or ceiling 26, and an insulated floor or bottomWall 28 spaced above a supporting floor or the like by a cabinet underportion 30. The front of the cabinet is provided with a pair ofinsulated doors 32 and 34 hinged 35 to the cabinet at 36 and 38,respectively. The doors I are secured in closed, locked position by-anysuitable -"ineans well known in the art and including a handle 40. Thecabinet under portion or base 30 preferably is divided into twoportions, one of which is insulated 40 and open to the upper insulatedportion of the cabinet. M The other portion of the cabinet is notinsulated and is provided with conventional cooling or refrigeratingapparatus indicated as mounted Within a box-like enclosure 42 as shownin Fig. 2. The enclosure 42 is provided 45 with'a duct 44 leading to theupper portion of the cabinet m 20 to discharge cold air into thecabinet. A return duct (not shown) leads from the lower portion of thecabinet to the container 42.

The base of the cabinet further includes a boxlike frame 46 of anglemembers and is provided with doors m 48 and 50. The door 48 communicateswith the insu- ""lated portion of the base and is an insulated door. Thedoor 50 communicates with the. portion of the base containing thecooling apparatus and is formed of sheet metal. The door 56 is providedwith struck-out ventilat- I ing louvers 52 and the door 48 is providedwith dummy louvers 54 to match the appearance of the door 50.

The exterior of the cabinet is completed by three delivery doors 56, allof -which are identical, by labeled 6O coin receiving slots 58, acoinreturn slot 60, and by a name plate 62. Each of the doors 56 and coinreceiving slots 58 cooperates with a single vending level or mechanism,as will be hereinafter apparent. The coin receiving slots 58 open intocoin receiving mechanisms of conventional construction including variouswell known slug rejecting devices.

The interior of thecabinet is provided with three sets of transverseangle members 64, each of which supports a vending mechanism 66. Thevending mechanisms best 7() are illustrated by the perspective view inFig. 3 and reference should be had to Figs. 4-7 for details of thedriving mechanism.

VENDING MECHANISM The transverse angle members 64 have longitudinalanglemembers 68 secured across their upper surfaces by any desirablemeans, and the longitudinal angle members slidinglyv support the vendingmechanisms 66. Each vending mechanism-i 66 includes longitudinal sideplates 70 received on the angle members 68. Transverseframe members 72extendbetween the plates. 71? to which they are secured by anysuitableconventional means such-as screws or bolts.

A storage shelf 74 includes a flat metal sheet 76 extend ing fromtherear, frame member 72 about four-fifths of the way toward the frontframe member72. The metal sheet 76 extends from near one of; the framemembers 76 about eight-ninths of the .way toward the other frame memberor longitudinal end plate 76 and is provided at each end with anupturned flange 78 The storage shelf or tray 741s. provided with asecond,' comparatively narrow, metal sheet 819 spaced slightly from thesheet 76 and provided with upturned flanges 82. Metal straps 84 aresecured atop the; sheet 76 and are spaced there.- above to form spacersdividing the sheet laterally.

A delivery shelf 86 is spaced forwardly a short distance from thestorage shelf 74 and comprises a single metal.

sheet 88 extending from side to side of the storage shelf andsupportedby brackets 90secured to the transverse frame member 72. shelf sheet 76may be supported solely by the transverse frame members 72 or thatadditional longitudinal supporting members may be set on or in thetransverse frame members for additional strength.

The storage shelf or tray '74 further includes a pair of drive sprocketwheels 92 (see particularly Fig. 7) mounted on a transverse drive shaft94 journaled in one of the longitudinal end plates 78 and in anadditional longitudinal frame member 98 (Fig. 4). The sprocket wheels 92are located at either end of the metal sheet 76 adjacent the upturnedflanges '78 and are formed with integral 'hubs 96 by means of which theyare secured to the drive shaft 94.

Idler sprockets 100 are positioned near the back end of the storage trayor shelf 74 and are mountedon stub shafts 102. The stub shafts 102 arejournaled in longitudinally .shiftable bearing members 104 havinglateral threaded cars 1116. Apertured lateral ears 108 are provided onan end plate 74) and the transverse frame member 98 for receiving bolts110 threaded into the ears 1116. Sprocket chains 112 are passed overcorresponding drive andidler sprockets and the sprocket'chains may bekept taut by means of the bolts 116 and cars 1536 and 1193. Jarnnuts 113are provided on the bolts 110 to prevent accidental loosening thereof.

Upstanding brackets 114 are provided at spaced intervals along thechains 112 and-carry transverse pusher rods 116 spaced slightly from thechains 112 and supported by the flanges 78 and 82 and by the spacers 84.The drive shaft 94 is driven from time to time to rotate the sprockets92 and drive the chains 112 to cause the pusher bars or rods 116 toshiftbottles 117 or other containers from the storage tray or shelf 74 ontothe delivery tray or shelf 86. Although my invention is highly adaptablefor delivering bottles of milk such as are illustrated, it will beappreciated that other compact packaged articles could be vended withequal facility.

A drive sprocket 118 is secured to a sleeve 120 journaled in a bracket122 mounted on the front transverse frame member 72. The sleeve 120 fitsover a stud bolt 124 fitting through the transverse frame member 72 andsecured by means of a nut. The drivesprocket 118 is provided with aplate 126 on one face and the plate is provided with a plurality ofindents or recesses 128 in its face (Fig. 4). A hollow cylinder 130 isthreaded into the transverse frame member 72 andthe inner end of thecylinder opens against the face of the plate 126. The

It will. be understood that the storage 7 outer end of the cylinder 130is closed and a coil spring 132 is compressed between the closed end anda slug 134. The slug presses in turn against a steel ball 136 which fitsinto any of the recesses 128 to insure stopping of the sprocket 118 inproper position.-

An idler sprocket 138 is mounted at the opposite end of the transverseframe member 72 on a stub shaft 146 secured in a shiftable bearing block142. The bearing block 1 52 fits in a slot in the transverse framemember 72 and is provided with a laterally extending threaded car 144.An apertured car 146 on the frame member 72 receives abolt'148threaded'into the car 144. A sprocket chain 150 is passed over thesprockets 118 and 138 and is maintained taut by the bolt 148 and ears144 and 146. A jam nut 152 is provided on the bolt 148 to prevent acci-7 dental loosening thereof.

164, the flanges being spread apart at one end as at 166 (Fig. 4)tofacilitate reception of the bracket flanges 160.

The channel 162' prevents twisting of the fingers or rods 156 andalsoserves to stiffen the sheet or plate 88. Further stiffening of thissheet is provided by a dependingfiange 168 extending along the otheredge.

Thesprocket 118 is driven at intermittent intervals to cause the fingers156 periodically to discharge a bottletor the like 117 from the deliverytray or shelf onto a plate:

170. The bottle is passed from this plate to the exterior of thecabinet2ll by a mechanism later to be described with reference to amodified form of vending mechanism.

At this pointit should be noted that an indexing mechanism 172 similarto the mechanism 128 -136 is secured to the longitudinal end plate70 forcooperation with the outside drive sprocket 92 of the storage tray orshelf.

The drive mechanism A box like mounting bracket 174 is secured on theouter face of the longitudinal end plate 70 adjacent the transfer plateor platform 170 by any suitable means such as screws or bolts. Atransverse wall 176 on the bracket supports an electric motor 178 withthe shaft of'the motor extendingvertically downwardly. A clutch 180(Figs. 5 and 6) couples the motor drive shaft to a" worm 182 mounted ona shaft journaled in spaced ears 134'forming apart of-the bracket 174;The Worm meshes with a worm wheel 186 which is fixed to a shaft 1 8 8journaled in an upstanding ear 190. and a sidewall 19'1 of the bracket174.- A worm 192 isfixedon the shaft-188 andis in drivinggengagementwith a worm wheel 194. The worm wheel 194 is fixed to a shaft 196journaledin vertical flanges 198 of the bracket 174. Ahub 200'on theworm wheeland'a spacer 202 on the other side thereof space the wheelfrom the flanges 193. The shaft 196 is coupled to a shaft 21M by meansof a conventional clutch 266 and this shaft journals in the longitudinalend" plate 76 and is fixed to an intermittent motion drive gear 208; Theclutch 206 is spaced from the end plate '70 by a spacer 210.

The intermittent motion drive gear 208 comprises a flat plate portion212 (broken awayin Fig. 7 for clarity of illustration) having a circularring 214.integral with the'periphery of the plate 212. Thering 214 isprovided about its periphery with groups of three gear teeth 216.Thereare nine such groups and they are equally spaced as if there wereten such groups. This leaves one space where no tee h are provided onthe outsideof the ring 214. At the position where teeth are not providedon the outside ofrthe ring. a groupof teeth 218 is -provided on theinside of the ring by means of an insert 220 fitted in the ring.

The groups of external teeth 216 are adapted to engage intermittentlythe teeth of a spur gear 222 (Fig. 4) fixed to a shaft 224 journaled inthe frame member 98 and in an extending arm 226 of the aforementionedbracket 122. A bevel gear 228 is fixed to the shaft 224 and engages abevel gear 230 which is fixed to the sleeve 120 driving the drivesprocket 118 of the delivery tray or shelf. The gear ratio is such thatthe engagement of a group of three teeth 216 with the gear 222 causesthe delivery pusher fingers to move a distance equal to the spacingbetween them.

The internal gear teeth 218 are adapted periodically to engage with theteeth of an idler gear 232 rotatably mounted on a stub shaft 234 carriedby the frame member 98. The idler gear 232 meshes with a spur gear 236pinned to the sprocket drive shaft 94. A collar 238 is fixed to theshaft 94 on the inner face of the frame member 98, to aid in preventingaxial shifting of the shaft 94. The gear ratio is such that each timethe internal gear teeth 218 pass through driving engagement with theidler gear 232, the drive sprockets 92 are rotated a sufiicient distanceto shift the storage pusher rods or bars 116 a distance equal to thespacing between them.

It may be seen that for each nine times the delivery pusher fingers 156are advanced, the storage pusher bars 116 will be advanced once.

A. switch mechanism 240 is mounted on the front transverse frame member72 as shown generally in Figs. 3 and 4 and in detail in Figs. 15 and 16.The switch mechanism 240 includes a vertical post 242 having a reduced.threaded lower end 244 threaded into an aperture in the top of the framemember 72. The post 242 is provided with a reduced upper end 246 onwhich a block 248 is pivotally mounted. A cap member 250 is threaded onto the upper. end of the reduced portion 246 to maintain the block 248in position. A control lever 252 is secured in a bore in the block 248by means of a set screw 254 and is adapted to swing over the deliverytray or shelf 86 and also over the storage tray or shelf 74.

A coil spring 256 encircles the @st, 242 and engages the block 248normally to urge the arm 252 out over the delivery and storage tray orshelves. Such movement is prevented by engagement of the arm with one ofthe bottles 117 or other articles to be vended. The arm is provided witha weight 258 imparting sutficient inertia to the arm to prevent itfrom'swinging needlessly back and forth each time a new bottle or row ofbottles is brought into position. The extreme limits of movement of thearm 252 are determined by a pair of stop studs 260 and 262 threaded intoa hexagonal sleeve 264 rotatably mounted on the post 242. A set screw266 locks the hexagonal sleeve 264 in any desirable adjusted position. Adepending stop arm 268 is welded or otherwise suitably fixed in theblock 248 and is adapted to engage the stop 260 and 262.

A switch 270 is mounted on top of the transverse frame member 72 by anysuitable means and is provided with a switch actuating plunger or button272. The plunger or button is adapted to becontacted by the stop arm 268just before the stop arm encounters the stop 262 so that the normallyclosed switch 270 will be opened by movement of the control arm 252above the storage tray or shelf 74 in theabsence of bottles or otherarticles on it and on the delivery tray or shelf.

Modification of vending mechanism A modified form of vending mechanismis shown in Fig. 8. Many details of construction are similar to thoseshown and described heretofore and these details are not all shown inFig. 8. The cabinet 20 remains as described previously and similarnumerals are utilized to indicate similar parts thereof. One change thatwill be noted isheretofore to maintain the chains taut.

that the coin receptacles and associated mechanisms 58 have been shiftedfrom the door 34v to the door'32.

Longitudinal angle members 274 forming slidable mounts for the vendingmechanisms may be supported by transverse angle members as disclosedheretofore or may be supported as shown by angle brackets 276 secured to4,

the rear cabinet wall 24 and by brackets 278 extending from the sidewalls 24. Longitudinal end plates 280 of l the vending mechanismslidably rest on the longitudinal angle members 274.

The storage shelf or tray 282 of the modified vending v mechanismcomprises a metal sheet 284. extending from I one end plate 280 to theother and about Vs of the way from the front to-the back of themechanism. The sheet 284 is supported from below by any suitableframework connected to the end plates 280. Upstanding spacers 286similar to the spacers 84 heretofore described extend longitudinally ofthe storage tray or shelf and divide the i shelf laterally into ninesections.

Drive sprocket wheels 288 are mounted adjacent the rear corners of thevending mechanism on a drive shaft 290 journaled in stub hearings in theend plates 280.

The sprocket wheels 288 are spaced inwardly of the end I plates 280 andin recesses formed in the sheet 284. A

large bevel gear 292 is secured on an outer end of the drive shaft 290and is in driving engagement with a small bevel gear 294 mounted on thedrive shaft of an electric motor 296. The electric motor 296 is mountedon one of the end plates 280.

plates 280 or may be mounted on stub shafts mounted on these end plates.

sprocket wheel's may be adjustably mounted as described Storage pusherrods 304 are mounted on brackets carried by the chains 302 in the samemanner as disclosed heretofore.

The delivery shelf or tray 306 of the vending mecha-: nism shown in Fig.8 includes an elongated metal strip or plate 308 mounted along thedischarge end of the storage shelf 282 and supported on suitablebrackets 310 secured to a front transverse frame member 312 which, inturn, is bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the'end plates 280. Adrive. sprocket wheel 314 is fixed on a stub shaft 316 suitablyjournaled in bearings secured to the front transverse frame member 312and to the end plate 280. A spur gear 318 on the shaft 316 meshes with agear 320 fixed on a jack shaft 322 journaled in bearings 324 onthe frontframe member 312 and the end plate 280. A gear 326 on the other end ofthe jack shaft is meshed with a driving gear 328 fixed on the shaft ofan electric delivery motor 330.

An idler sprocket 332 is rotatably mounted on a shaft 7 334 at thedischarge end of the delivery shelf or tray and journaled in suitablebearings 335 on the front frame member 312 and secured to a supportingmember or frame (not shown) beneath the metal strip 308. A sprocketchain 336 is passed over the sprocket wheels 314 and 332 and the lattermay be slidably mounted to maintain the sprocket chain taut. A pluralityof delivery pusher fingers 338 is secured to the chain 336 as explainedheretofore and the fingers are secured against twisting by meansheretofore set forth.

An idler sprocket wheel 340 is mounted on a shaft journaled in suitablebearings carried by the frame memher 312 intermediate the ends of thedelivery tray of shelf 1 and the sprocket wheel 340 engages the upperreach of the chain 336 at this point. An indexing wheel 342 havingapertures 344 spaced about its periphery is secured on the otherend ofthe shaft carrying the sprocket wheel 340. A locking finger 346 ismounted within a solenoid 348 carried by the front frame member 312, anda spring normally urges the finger into engagement with one of theapertures 344 to insure stopping of the delivery mechanism in a properpredetermined position.

Idler sprocket wheels 298 are mounted on an idler shaft 300 extendingbetween the end Sprocket chains 302 pass over cor responding driving andidler sprocket wheels and the idler The vending mechanism further isprovidedwith, a. control; switch mechanism 350 similar to. thatheretofore describedand including a;contr,ol' lever 352. An elongatedswitch-actuating plunger 354 fits in a slot adjacent the dischargeendof'the delivery tray or shelf 306 andnormallyis held down inopenposition by a bottle 117 or' other article about to be vended. Theplunger 354 isspringurg'ed upwardly and acts to close the switch withwhich it is associated when not held down by a bottle. It should benoted that the length of the plunger 354 is suflicient that it will becontacted by a bottle being moved into the; last position ,on thedelivery shelf as the bottle previously in that position-is shifted fromthe delivery shelf.

' T he transfer mechanism Atransfer'mechanism is provided-for receivinga bottlefrom thegdelivery mechanism andshifting it to a positionaccessible to a purchaser upon opening of the delivery door 56-. Theconstruction of the transfer mechanism in I thereforehave shown thetransfer mechanism but once, namely in Fig; 8.

As a bottle or other article is pushed from the end R of-the deliveryshelf or tray by one of the fingers 338, it is received on a transferplate or platform 356 similar to-that shown-in the previous embodimentof the inventionand extending forwardlyto the inside of the deliverydoor 56. As a bottle passes on to the platform 356 it;encounters aswitch arm 358 which acts to open a switch 360 to stop the deliverymotor as will be apparent hereinafter.

An angular transfer member 362 is slidably mounted on top of thetransfer plate 356 by any desirable means. The'shiftable transfer member362 includes an upstanding wall 364' arranged along the edge of theplate or platform 356 longitudinally of the vending machine andcarrying. the switch 360, an upstanding wall 366 arranged transverselyof the machine, and an upstanding wall 368 parallel to the wall 364 andoffset therefrom. A pin 370 extends downwardly from the rear of the wall366 through a slot 372' arranged longitudinally of the plate 356. Thepin is pivotally received by the end of a link 37 4. The other end ofthe link is pivotally connected to an ear 376'near the bottom of thedelivery door 56. The delivery door 56 is hingedly mounted on the samehinge, members 38 as hinge the door 34 to the cabinet.

Apairofsprings 378 extends rearwardly from the upstandingwall. 366 ofthe transfer member 362. The F springs are connected to a bracket 38%secured to a side wall 24 of the cabinet or to any other suitable fixedposition .normally to maintain the transfer member in retracted positionas shown in Fig. 8. It is apparent that opening of the door 56 will actthrough the link 374 to shift the transfer member 362 forwardly and thuspush a delivered bottle immediately inside the delivery door 56 where.itreadily may be grasped by a purchaser. At this time the upstandingplate 368 is positioned in front of the deliveryshelf to guard againstthe stealing of bottles by a person reaching into the interior of thecabinet through thedelivery door Preferably a switch is provided toprevent energization of the delivery motor withthe delivery door 56open, but such switch would be entirely conventional and it thereforehas not been illustrated.

The limitof opening movement of the door 56 is determined by the. pin37il inthe slot 372. The hinging of thedelivery door 56 and the cabinetdoor 34 on the same hingemembers allows the door 34 to be opened asufiicient distance for withdrawal of the vending mechanismtwithnotendency to pull the transfer member 362 tootfarforwardly.

Modifications of the transfer mechanism Three modifiedtr'ansfermechanisms are shown in Figs;

944. In these figures part; which are identical with those. shown inFig. 8 are identified by the same numerals asYin-that figure. I

In-Fig. 9; the transfer plate 356 is omitted and a swinging pocket 382is pivotedon the vending mechanism by means of studs 384 received insuitable brackets 386 carried by the vending mechanism. The swingingpocket comprises a box-like structure having substantially square topandbottom walls 388 and 398, the square shape being modified slightlyby' an arcuate extension 392.. The top and bottom walls are joinedtogether by rectangular side walls 394, one of the side walls having anextending flange 396 cooperating with the arcuate. extensions 392. Thefront and back of the swinging pocket 382 are open. Additional parts tobe found on the swinging pocket include beads 398 formed by curving overthe edges of one of the side walls 394 and a rearwardly'extending flange406011 the bottom wall 390 adapted for close positioning to the fingers338 as they pass about the idler sprocket wheel 332; The pocket normallyis held in the position shown in solid lines in Fig. 9 by coil springson the pivot studs or by other suitable spring means.

The pocket 382. is adapted to swing about its pivot by" a ram 402comprising an upstanding, rear transverse plate 404, an upstanding,longitudinal sideplate 406 having a transverse flange 498 with a rolledover head 410 along its edge, and a second longitudinal plate 411. Theram is secured against vertical movement by suitable means such as aplate 412 suitably secured to the vending mechanisrn. The ram isprovided on the rear of the transverse plate 464 with a plunger 414mounted by means of a suitable bracket 416. The plunger is'su'rroundedby a solenoid 418 and is provided at its end with a sto'p420. Thesolenoid is adapted to be energized by a switch 422 carried in the door34 adjacent thedelivery door 56and closedby opening of the door 56. Energization of solenoid 41S moves the ram 402 forwardly and the fiangeOSand bead 41% engage one of the beads 398 and the side wall 394' of theswinging pocket to'swing the pocket about its pivotal connections from"the position shown in solid lines in Fig. 9 to that shown in dashedlines. The bottle of milk or other article then is positionedimmediately inside the aperture of the delivery door 56 where it may begrasped'by the purchaser. Atthe same time the side plate 411 of theram-seals oh the end of the delivery tray and the back of the swingingpocket is closed by the ram 402 positively to preclude admission of ahand or the like to the delivery shelf. It will be appreciated that theram-407, could be moved by a link rather than by the solenoid mechanismshown;

A further modified form oftransfer mechanism is shown in Figs. ll and12. The transfer mechanism in this'm-odification comprises a rotatabledrum 424 rotata bly mounted On suitable brackets 426extending from theside Wall 24 of the cabinet. The drum comprises a series of verticalwalls 428 defining four bottle receiving pockets 430. The drum isprovided with a top Wall (not shown) and a bottom wall 432 secured tothe vertical walls 42 8 by any suitable means. The pockets are spacedfrom one another and the spaces between the pockets are closed in byarcua'tewall sections 434. A bottle or other container shifted from theend of the delivery shelf or tray 306 by a finger'338 is received in oneof the pockets'43t) and it then is necessary to rotate the drum through90 to bring a bottle into accessible position adjacent the delivery door56.

Rotation of .the drum is effected by opening of the delivery door 56. Alink 436 is pivotally connected to an car 433 on the inside of the doorand is provided adjacent its other end-witha rack 44%. The rack 4-40 isprovided at its outerend with a stop member 442, and a spring 444- isconnected between this stop and the side wall 24 to maintain the rack inengagement with gear teeth 446 formed on the periphery of'the outerelement.

being of the type having balls 450 which wedge into driving positionbetween the outer clutch element 446 and the inner clutch element 452when the outer element is driven in one direction and thereby to drivethe inner element. When the outer element is driven in the otherdirection, it moves freely. The inner clutch element 452 is keyed to ashaft 454 extending from the bottom of the drum 424.

Opening of the door 56 causes the rack 440 to rotate the outer clutchelement in the proper direction to retate the drum through 90 to presentthe bottle to the purchaser. Movement of the rack along the gear teeth446 is limited by the stop member 442 and this also limits the degree ofopening movement of the door 56. It may be found desirable to provide apawl and ratchet mechanism on the drum and a fixed point adjacent thedrum to prevent retrograde movement of the drum through internalfriction of the clutch when the delivery door is closed.

Another modification of the transfer mechanism is shown in Figs. 13 and14 and comprises a drum 456 having two pockets 458 spaced from oneanother by 180. T wo links 460 and 462 are pivoted to an car 464 on thedoor 56.- The link 460 is provided with a rack 466 engaging the externalteeth of a one-way clutch 468 similar to that described with regard toFigs. 11 and 12 for rotating the drum through 90 as the door 56 isopened. The link 462 is provided with a rack 470 engaging the externalteeth of a one-way clutch 472 adapted to rotate the drum through another90 as the door 56 is closed. The links are' provided with stop members474 and 476, and a spring 478 is stretched between the racks inengagement with the teeth of the one-way clutches. It will be obviousthat the inner elements of the clutches 468 and 472 are fixed to thedrum shaft 480.

THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT An electrical circuit for use with the modifiedform of my invention as shown in Fig. 8 is illustrated in Fig. 17. Theusual alternating current input connections are illustrated at 482 and484. From the input connection 482 a line'leads to an empty switch 486forming a portion of the control switch mechanism 350. This switch isheld closed by abutment of the switch control or actuating arm or lever352 against bottles on either the delivery shelf or tray 306 or bottleson the storage shelf or tray 282 and opens when no bottles areencountered by this arm. A wire 488 leads from the switch 486 to theswitch 360 adjacent the transfer mechanism.

Awire 490 leads from the switch 360 to a first coin switch 492 and awire 494 leads from this switch to a relay coil 496. A wire 498 leadsfrom the relay coil 496 to the coil of the solenoid 348 controlling theindexing of the delivery fingers.- The-other end of the solenoid 3.48 isconnected to a wire 500 leading to the input connection 484. I 3

Relay contacts 502 are connected in parallel with the first coin switch492 'by means of wires 504 and 506. These contacts normally are openanda-re closed by energization of the relay coil 496.

A wire 508 leads from the wire 490 to a second coin switch 510. Both thefirst and second coin switches are ofthe type closed momentarily bypassage of a coin through the coin switch mechanism 58 after the coinhas passed all of the various slug rejecting devices. A wire 512connects the second coin switch 510 to a relay coil 514 and a wire 516runs from the relay coil to the delivery mo'tor 330. The other side ofthe delivery motor is connected to the wire 500 by wire 518.

Relay contacts 520 are connected in parallel with the second coin switch510 by means of wires 522 and 524. The contacts 520 normally are openand are closed by energization of the relay coil 514.

The circuit of Fig. 17 is completed by a wire 526 leading from the wire488 to'a switch 528 actuated by purchaser.

1(3 the switch plunger 354 at the discharge end of the delivery shelf ortray. A wire 530 leads from the switch 528 to the storage motor 296 andthe circuitto the storage motor is completed by the wire 532 leading tothe wire 50%.

Another form of electrical circuit for use with the embodiment of thevending mechanism shown in Figs. 3-7 is illustrated in Fig. 18.

The usual input contacts are identified as 534 and 536.

A wire 538 leads from the contact 534 to the empty 1 switch 276. A wire540 leads fromthe empty switch 270 to a switch 542 opened by a bottleshifted on to the transfer mechanism. The switch 542 may be similar tothe switch 360 illustrated with regard to the modified form of thevending mechanism.

A wire 544 leads from the switch 542 to a coin switch 546 and the switchis connected by means of a wire 548 to a relay coil 55%. A wire 552leads from the relay coil to the motor 178 and the other side of themotor is connected by a Wire 554 to the input connection or contact 536.

energization of the coil 550. v

Operation Operation of the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 37and the schematic Wiring diagram of Fig. 18 will be explained first.

Before the vending mechanism shown in Fig. 3 is operated, the storagetray or shelf 66 and the delivery tray or shelf 86 will be completelyfilled with bottles 117, some of these bottles being indicated in Fig. 3in dashed lines. The storage shelf holds four transverse rows of bottlesarranged in nine longitudinal columns, making 36 bottles in all. Thedelivery shelf holds one row of nine bottles, the vending mechanism thusholding 45 bottles when full.

A coin dropped in one of the coin mechanisms 58 and clearing the variousslug rejectors closes the coin switch 546 momentarily before droppinginto a coin storage box. This completes the following circuit: fromlead-in connection 534 through wire 538 to empty switch 270, throughwire 540 and switch 542 to wire 544, through coin switch 546 and relaycoil 550, through wire 552 to motor 178 and through wire 554 to lead-inconnection 536. Energization of the relay coil 550 closes switchcontacts 556 and the circuit is continued as set forth above with thesubstitution of relay contacts 556 and wires 558 and 560 for the coinswitch 546, the latter opening after passage of the coin.

The motor then runs and acts through the gear train set forth in detailheretofore to drive the driving gear or wheel 208. The first set ofexternal teeth 216 engages the spur gear 222 and acts through the geartrain set forth heretofore to advance the delivery pusher fingers 156 adistance equal to the spacing between them and thereby to shift thefirst bottle 117 from the delivery tray or shelf 86 on to the transferplate or platform 170. Movement of the bottle 117 all of the way on tothe transfer plate or platform 170 causes the bottle to engage a properswitch actuating means (such as the switch arm 358 in the embodimentshown in Fig. 8) to open the switch 542. This ale-energizes the motorand the relay coil 550 and the de-energization of the latter allows therelay contacts 556 to open. The spring urged indexing mechanism causesthe pusher fingers 156 to stop in the proper position afterde-energization of the motor 178. Opening of the delivery door 56 causesthe bottle 117 to be shifted forwardly or to be rotated into position(depending upon which embodiment of the transfer mechanism is utilized)where it readily may be grasped by the hand of the The door is springurged into closed position 11 y when released by the purchaserandanother vending. operation can be carried outgas just described.

After all of the nine bottles on the delivery tray or shelf have beenvended and the particular vending lever or mechanism again is actuated,the internal gear teeth 218 of the driving plate or gear 288 will engagethe gear 232 to drive it a sutficient distance to act through the gear236 to shift the storage pusher rods 116 a distance equal to the spacingbetween them and thereby to shift another row of nine bottles on to thedelivery tray or shelf 86. The motor continues to run and the first setof external gear teeth 216 engages the gear 222 to drive the pusherfingers 7.5% and thereby to shift a bottle on to transfer plate 170 asdescribed heretofore, operation of the motor being terminated by openingof the switch 542 by the bottle delivered.

After all of the bottles on the storage shelf have been shifted on tothe delivery shelf and vended, the control arm 252 is freed from therestraining influence of the bottles and swings out past the deliveryshelf and over the storage shelf a suificient distance for the stop arm26% to engage the switch actuating button or plunger 272 and thereby toopen the switch 270. The vending mechanism then cannot be actuated againuntil it is refilled. It will be appreciated that the capacity of thevending mechanism is sufficiently high that the mechanism generally willbe refilled before it is completely empty. The refilling generally willbe carried out by transferring bottles from the refrigerated portion ofthe cabinet under portion or base 39 on to the vending mechanism, suchtransferring being materially aided by sliding the mechanism forward onits slida'ole mount, and then placing fresh bottles in the refrigeratedportion of the base.

Reference next should be had to Figs. 8 and 17 for a description of theoperation of the modified form of' my invention.

Before the first vending operation the storage shelf 282 and deliveryshelf 306 are filled with bottles, the combined capacity being 45bottles as in the first embodiment. Acceptance of a coin by the coinreceiving mechanism 58 causes the first coin switch 494 to be closedmomentarily. This completes a circuit as follows: from the input contactor connection to the empty switch 436, through the wire 488 and switch369 to wire 4%, through the first coin switch 592 and wire 494 to relaycoil 4%, through wire 4% and solenoid 348 and through wire 500 back tothe input connection or contact 484. Energization of the relay coil 4%closes the relay contacts 5H2. and substitutes the contacts 502 andwires 564 and 506 for the coin switch 492 as the coin passes on and thecoin switch opens. Energization of the solenoid 348 retracts theindexing finger 346 from the indexing wheel 342 and the delivery pusherfingers 338 then are free to be advanced as long as the solenoid 348remains energized.

After the coin leaves the first coin switch 492 it momentarily closesthe second coin switch Sill. This completes the following circuit: frominput contact or connection 482 through empty switch 486 to wire 488,through switch 36% and wires 4% and 508 to the second coin switch 510,through relay coil 514 and wire 516 to the delivery motor 330, andthrough wires 518 and 509 back to the input contact or connection 484.Energization of relay coil 514 closes switch contacts 520 and thesecontacts and wires 522 and 524 are substituted in the foregoing circuitfor wire 508 and the second coin switch 514 as the latter opensfollowing passage of the coin.

The delivery motor 334) then runs to shift the delivery pusher fingers333 and thereby to shift the first bottle 117 from the delivery shelf onto the transfer plate or platform 356 where thebottle encounters theswitch arm 358 to open the switch. 36"). Opening of the switch 360deenergizes the delivery motor- 339 and also'de-energizes the indexingsolenoid 34". The indexing finger 346 then shark's?" 12 is spring urgedforwardly into one of the apertures 344 spaced about the periphery ofthe indexing wheel 442 to stop the pusher fingers 333 in proper positionwithout coasting. It will be noted that the switch actuating plunger 354set in the metal sheet 368 of the delivery shelf is long enough to beheld depressed by the next succeeding bottle before the bottle beingvended passesfrom it so that the switch 528 remains open.

The switch contacts 528 are closed as the plunger 554 moves upwardlyunder the impetus of its spring following vending of the ninth and lastbottle on the delivery shelf. A circuit then is completed from the inputconnection or contact 482 through empty switch 486 andwires 488 and 526to the switch contacts 528, through the wire 536 to storage motor 296,and through wires 532 and 5% to the input connection or contact 484.-

The storage motor then runs to shift the first row of bottles from thestorage shelf on to the delivery shelf..

The plunger 354 is depressed by one of the bottles in this row to openthe switch; contacts 523, and the vending mechanism again is ready todeliver a bottle upon receipt of acoin.

A suitable indexing rnechanism such as the solenoid nism withoutcoasting, but the storage mechanism gen-' erally works against arelatively heavy load and will stop by itself without undue coasting.

It will be appreciated that a second set of switch contacts could beactuated by the rising of plunger 354 to prevent the coin mechanism fromaccepting a coin until the next row of bottles has been moved intoproper position. The connections would vary slightly depending upon thespecific coin mechanism employed and arewell within the scope of askilled mechanic. When both the delivery shelf and storage shelf are"emptied, the switch arm 352is free toswing. out past the delivery shelfand over the storage shelf. This opens the empty switch 486 andthe'vending mechanism cannot again be energized until it has beenrefilled. Preferably, the coin receiving mechanism is of the typeadapted to reject a coin and the mechanism is conditioned to reject acoin upon opening of the empty switch 486. The details of the rejectingmechanism and wiring therefor will vary with the specific C0111mechanism used and are within the scope of a skilled mechanic.

It will be apparent" that the objects of this invention of similarvendingmechanisms provides a choice ofbottles filled with various milkproducts'such as wholemilk, but termilk, or chocolate flavored milkdrink. Several new" or improved mechanisms have been disclosed fortransferring bottles or other articles from the interior of a" vendingmachine cabinet and primarily usable with the vending mechanismsdisclosed, but'having' utility in them selves.

gated delivery means and adapted to support a pluralityof articles to bevended, meansfor shifting a predeter mined number of articles from saidstorage means'on to said elongated delivery means, means forshifting'articles along said elongated delivery means to vend thearticles; means including first operable means for driving said firstnamed article shifting means, means including second op.-

erable means for driving said second article shifting means, a powersource, an angularly turnable means driven by said power source, and afirst set of actuators on said angularly turnable means for engagingsaid first operable means and a second set of actuators on saidangularly turnable means for engaging said second operable means, saidsets ofactuators engaging the associated operable means in predeterminedsequence to effect shifting of articles from said delivery means and ashifting of articles frorn' said storage means onto said delivery meansto refill said delivery means.

2. A vendingmachine comprising elongated delivery means, storage meansarranged laterally of said elongated delivery means and adapted tosupport a plurality of articles to be vended, means for shifting apredetermined number of articles fromsaid storage means on to saidelongated delivery means, means for shifting articles along saidelongated delivery means to vend the articles, means including a firstgear for driving said first named article shifting means, meansincluding a second gear for driving said second article shifting means,a driving motor, a'rotory drive member driven by said motor, a pluralityof spaced groups of gear teeth positioned about the periphery of saiddrive member and adapted periodically to mesh with the secondgearto-drive the same through a-predetermined'rotative movement to shiftarticles from said elongated delivery means, and a group of gear teethpositioned interiorly of the drive .member andadapted periodically tomesh with said first gear to drive the same through a predeterminedrotative movement to shift articles from said storage means-on to saidelongated delivery means.

3. A vending machine comprising storage means, de-' the concurrentabsence of articles therefrom to detect the concurrent absence ofarticles from both said delivery means and said storage means, and meansresponsive to said single member upon detection of such absence torender both of said article shifting means inoperative.

4. In a vending machine, the combination of a delivery plate, aplurality of delivery pusher fingers adapted to be moved periodicallyalong said delivery plate while oriented crosswise thereof, means forstopping said delivery pusher fingers in predetermined positions, astorage feed plate, a plurality of members extending transversely acrosssaid storage plate and shiftable longitudinally of said plate to slide aplurality of articles therealong and on to said delivery plate, and aplurality of spacer members aligned with the predetermined stoppingpositions of said delivery pusherfingers for properly aligning articleswith the spaces between said delivery pusher fingers, said spacermembers extending longitudinally of said storage plate and spacedthereabove to support said transversely extending members.

5. A vending machine as set forth in claim 4 wherein the means forstopping the delivery pusher fingers in predetermined position includesa spring urged indexing mechanism.

6. A vending machine as set forth in claim 4 wherein the means forstopping the delivery pusher fingers in predetermined position includesan electro-magnetically operated indexing mechanism.

7. In a vending machine, the combination ofdelivery means adapted tosupport a plurality of articles to be vended, means for shiftingarticles along said delivery means to vend said articles, a motor foroperating said last named means, an indexing mechanism including anelectro-magnetically retractable member, a first coin actuated switch, asecond coin actuated switch, circuit means interconnecting said firstcoin actuated switch and and said motor to actuate said motor uponoperation of said second coin actuated switch by said coin.

8. In a vendingmachine, the combination comprising elongated deliverymeans, means for shifting articles along said delivery means to vendsaid articles, a motor for operating said last named means, an indexingmechanism including an electro-magnetically retractable mem-v ber, afirst coin actuated switch, a second coin actuated switch, circuit meansinterconnecting said first'coin ac-' tuated switch and said indexingmechanism to retract said retractable mechanism upon operation of saidfirst switch by a coin, and circuit means interconnecting said secondcoin switch and said motor to actuate said motor upon' operation of saidsecond coin actuated switch by said coin.

9. A vending machine comprising an elongated delivery plate, meansdefining a channel extending longitudinally 'along one edge of saiddelivery plate,- endless flexible means having a reach spaced'above saidplate and arranged longitudinally of said delivery plate .in closeproximity thereto, a plurality of article advancing fingers each,secured at one end to ,said endless flexible means and extending oversaid delivery plate to advance articles therealong, means forperiodically driving said endless flexible means to advance saidarticles, and flange means extending .transversely of said fingers andfitting within said channel to guide said fingers and maintain properorientation thereof.

10. A' vending machine comprising a casing having a delivery aperture, aclosure member over said aperture, means for supporting a plurality ofarticles within said casing, means for transferring an article to bevended from said supporting means to said aperture, said transferringmeans including a supporting plate and an article pusher member slidableover said plate, and means for shifting said pusher member in responseto opening movement of said closure member, said pusher member includinga portion shielding said supporting means from said aperture when saidclosure means is opened.

11. In a vending machine, the combination of a casing, a horizontallydisposed storage member within the casing adapted to support a pluralityof articles, a horizontally extending delivery member within said casingsubstantially in the same horizontal plane as the storage member and atright angles thereto, means for shifting rows of articles from saidstorage member onto said delivery member, and a rotatable drumpositioned adjacent said delivery member for receiving articlestherefrom, and means for rotating said drum to shift a received articleto a position accessible to a purchaser.

12. In a vending machine, the combination of a casing having a deliveryaperture therein, storage means within said casing adapted to support aplurality of articles, delivery means within said casing, means forshifting rows of articles from said storage means onto said deliverymeans, a delivery drum rotatably mounted adjacent said delivery meansand the aperture in said casing, said drum having a plurality of articlereceiving recesses, and means for rotating said drum to shift a recessfrom article receiving position adjacent said delivery means to aposition adjacent said aperture accessible to a purchaser.

13. A vending machine comprising elongated delivery means, storage meansarranged laterally of said elongated delivery means and adapted tosupport a plurality of articles to be vended, means for shifting apredetermined number of articles to be vended from said storage meanssecond conveyor means adapted to support a plurality" of articles andpositioned to, shift articles on to said first conveyor means, meansincluding first operable mearis'for driving said first conveyor-means,means in"- cluding second operable means for driving said secondconveyor means, a power source, ang'ula'rly turnablei means driven bysaid power source; and a first set of actuators carried by saidangularly turn'able means for' sequentially operating said firstoperable means" a pluralit'y of times to advance said first conveyormeans a' predetermined number of steps and a second set of actuatorscarried by said angularly 'turnable'rriea'ns thereafter engaging saidsecond operable means to operate said second operable means to advancesaid second conveyor means to shift articles on to said' first conveyormeans.

"15. A vending machine comprising a casing'h'aving a delivery aperture,a closure member for said aperture, means for supporting a plurality ofarticles within" said casing, a rotatable mechanism fortra'nsfer'rin'garticles one by one from said supporting means to said aperture to vendsaid articles, said rotatable mecha'nisrrl including a rectangularpocket'ope'n on two sides to receive and discharge an article, and meansfor rotatingsaid rotatable mechanism in response to openingof saidclosure member including' reciprocable' means abutting said pocket 16andjh'a'ving' aport'ion uarding said suppdrufig means E0111 saidaperture;

16, A vending machine comprising a casing having a delivery aperture, acld'sure'ni'elrib'er for said aperture, means for supporting apluralityfof" articles Within said casing, a rotatable mechanism" fortransferring articles one by one from said supporting means to saidaperture to vend said articles, said rotatable mechanism includ ing acylindrical drum having'a plurality. of article receiving' apertures,and means for'rotating' said drumf in response to opening of saidclosure member including means for shifting one of thedrum'apertures'from'ad jacent the supporting means to a positionadjacent the delivery aperture and shifting another drum aperture in toarticle receiving v position adjacent said supporting Re. 18,059 CopeMay- 5, 1931 1,200,244 Sears Oct. 3, 1916 1,200,508 Lister" Oct. 10,1916' 1,264,180 Harris Apr. 30, 1918' 1,355,488 McKenney Oct. 12, 19201,572,263 Ash Feb; 9, 1926 1,949,040 Clausen Feb. 27, 1934' 1,994,745Baker Mar. 19, 1935 2,233,379 Cope Febi 25, 1941 2,280,323 Tone Apr. 21,1942 2,436,223 Newcomer Feb. 17, 1948' 2,632,681 Newcomer Mar. 24, 19.53

